What happens to a liver in hydrogen peroxide?

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Quick Answer

When added to the liver, hydrogen peroxide activates the renal enzyme catalase. According to the Department of Chemistry at the University of York, hydrogen peroxide then reacts with the liver, breaking down into oxygen and water.

The force of the reaction, described by a chemical equation H2O2 = 2 H2O + O2, causes the rapid creation of oxygen bubbles and foam on the liver surface. This reaction is one of the physiological mechanisms of the body to remove harmful toxins from the blood, as noted by WebMD.

As the University of York explains, the liver and its renal enzymes play a crucial role in a detoxification process, breaking down harmful substances such as hydrogen peroxide into less harmful compounds that the body can process safely.